When I was at the stage you are at I was fortunates enough to run into a good pattern teacher. Three things he taught me that helped.

Learn to fly a straight line. Sounds so simple. But go to a pattern contest and watch how many flyers think that wings level means the wingtip is pointing at you, when in reality they are in a gentle banked turn because they are wing low to themselves. The pull up from a straight line is the basis of all of the patterns.

Go to a toy store and buy one of those magnetic drawing boards (http://www.toys2wish4.com/madrbo.html) Now learn to draw a 45 degree up and down line free hand. Check your drawing against a drafting triangle. Too many flyers fly what calls for a 45 either too steep or too flat. By drawing it correctly free hand, you will fly it correctly.

Build your pattern in stages. Fly the simple maneuvers first, by them selves until you fly it correctly. then start putting them together.


The best help you can have is a good coach judge that's making notes or videos to review after each flight.

HTHTom